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People kept out of homes during security alert

Pacemaker A marked blue and yellow police car is parked diagonally across a junction. There is police cordon tape just in the distance blocking off a road. There are some terrace houses to the left of the picture.Pacemaker
Cordons are in place and the public have been advised to avoid the area

A number of homes have been evacuated due to a security alert in Dunmurry.

It follows the discovery of a suspect device in the Colinvale area of Poleglass on Friday morning.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said a public safety operation was under way.

Pembroke Loop was closed at both ends. Cordons are in place and the public are advised to avoid the area or use an alternative route.

A long queue of cars lining a road.
Some residents spent the afternoon in their cars as they waited to get back into their homes

Sinn Féin councillor Caoimhín McCann said the alert was causing major disruption for residents.

He estimated that about 200-250 houses had been evacuated, affecting up to 400 people.

"We've had one man come back from a night shift who can't back in to get to bed; we have people that are needing their medication that they need to take daily," he said.

He added: "Those involved have absolutely nothing to offer our community," McCann said.

"Sally Gardens Community Centre is available for residents as the security alert continues."